St. Landry democrat., 1887-02-05
nA GRAVE ERROR. -

FOR, and Says Canada VIII NOE tfc'eoe
From Her Position,
OTTAWA, Ont, Jan. 26.-Au American
newspaper CORES pondent called upon the
Canadian Premier yesterday, ard this is
what Sir John Macdonald said: Il feel
that the people of the United States do
not fully comprehend our position here in
Canada
Sir John was found in the handsome IL
brary of the residence on the outskirts OF
the newly fiedged City Of Ottawa. lie
| continued very much as follows: The
| news that the United States Senate
passed the Edmunds bill providing for
| the so-callcd retaliation against Canada,
! because the fisheries treaty has been rig
! idly enforced is not a surprise to me.
/ | have had reason to think the pres
ent Congress would pass some
! thing of tt" kind. Ihave had information
to that effect | regret very much that
Congress has gone so far. feel confident
that there is some misapprchcnslon in the
! United States Here in Canada we wish
| to live in peace and harmony with our
ncighbors across the border. We have our
! fishing treaty, which was framed by the
representatives of Great Britain and the
| United States in 1878 We consider that
we have only acted as that treaty con-
cedes we may. The people Of the
United States ought to be willing
to allow US the treaty rights
which their own representatives
granted. The Dominion Government has
stood on the provisions Of the treaty. and
it has endeayored to carry them out in
HARMONY with Justice ard fairness. Can
ada mad given the American fshermer>a
| whole season 5 fishing during the summer
and autumn Of 1850. The failure Of the
American Senate to appoint a commission
to consider the fisheries threw the matter
back on our hands. and we were compelled
| to protect our rights by the cntorce-
ncnt of the laws which every ma
ton exercises, and the right 10 which
all nations concede. The customs authOri-
ties were instructed to enforce the laws
but to exercise care not to employ arbl-
trarv measures and to avolt in ali re
| spects procedures which would affect the
strength of our legal position, as we'll as
unduly annoy the citizens OF neighbour
ing and friendly nation. | viii say un-
hesitatingly that it has been the en-
deavor of the Government Of Canada to
avoid serious friction in protecting our
rights and that the whole matter has
been one of grave solcitudc."
Sir John, the people OF the United
States believe that your government has
enforced the customs and fishery laws as
strictly as possible with the purpose of
endeavoring to force the United States in
to consenting to another commission and
consequent treaty like that OF Washing
ton?'
This is grave error. The Canadian
Government has not attempted to coerce
the United States. On the contrary, does
it not rather appear as if there were sort
of a wolf and the lamb spirit shown, with
Canada as the lamb? I viii be pleased if
YOU will say that there is no such spirit
on the part of the Canadian Government.
We would be very glad to have another
unders landing in regard to stpe fish
cries We are willing to have re-
ciprocity treaty re-enacted in place of the
| former one, which was Cancelled, fear.
because of the feeling against Great
Britain arising out of the Alabama depre-
| dations. Canada will enter into an ar
rangement for renewal Of the privilege
of fishing in our waters and for American
fishermen to obtain supplies, bait and
tranship fish. We have asked for a COM
mission to consider the subject. Failing
in obtaining a commission even to con-
slider the questions involved, Canada has.
to the best of her ability, protected her
| SELF
s.What would be the effect on Canada if
) the Belmont bill prohibiting the import OF
all Canadian products and the passage of
railway cars into the United States was
passed:''
Sir John placed his fingers together
| pointing upward and, after a moments
pause. said softly: 'That would indeed
be severe. very severe. | can not think
, that Congress will proceed to such
! length
"Win you state what course Canada
! pol ba
munds bill are put in operation?'
Sir John considered the question men
tally and responded: ssThe Canadian Gov
eminent has acted according to law. 1t
has referred its acts and the reasons
} therefor to the Imperial Government of
Great Britain. 1t sees no reasons to
change its views, no matter what may
: take place in other countries.o
Then you are willing to say that Cana
da will not recede from it's present posi-
tion!''
Sir John responded: eyes, you are at
liberty to say that Canada's position IS
fixed, regardless of what may be done in
the United States.''
Sir John was fortified by the counsels
of Sir Charles Topper, the Canadian High
, Commissioner to England, who arrived
at Ottawa from Liverpool yesterday morn
ing.
''What will be the effect on the politics
of Canada by the passage of the Belmont
: or Edmunds bill!''
| Sir Charles replied: ''There will be an
outbreak of patriotism. You will find
, that, notwithstanding the violence of party
feeling, the opposition to the present Gov
| eminent will not admit of disposition to
yield to the demands of the United
States. No government could live in
Canada that attempted to subordinate ma
tional rights to party politics. ! scarcely
know of Newspaper in the Dominion that
wishes our treaty rights thrown away.
The opposition may differ on some points